Both have pleaded not guilty and face the death penalty if convicted over a case which damaged Thailand’s reputation as a tourist haven and saw the police accused of bungling the investigation.

The prosecution said Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Tun emerged as potential suspects after they were spotted on CCTV that night playing guitar, smoking and chatting with friends on the same beach where the murders took place.

Murdered: David Miller

Witheridge and Miller’s corpses were found on the morning of September 15 amongst rocks nearby.

Before the hearing defence lawyer Nakhon Chomphuchat said the lack of forensic evidence undermined his case which would instead be forced to rely on calling a larger number of witnesses to the stand.